DAERA Launches Consultation on New Fisheries and Water Environment Bill

Home » DAERA Launches Consultation on New Fisheries and Water Environment Bill

DAERA is seeking public input on the proposed Fisheries and Water Environment Bill. Have your say on reforms to fisheries, aquaculture, and environmental protections by filling out their questionnaire between 3rd July 2025 and 11th September 2025.

Fisheries and Water Environment Bill

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a public consultation on the development of a new Fisheries and Water Environment Bill for Northern Ireland. The consultation, open from 3rd July 2025 to 11th September 2025, invites individuals, organisations, and industry stakeholders to share their views on proposed reforms to how fisheries and aquaculture in the marine and aquatic environments (and other connected things) are managed and protected.

This new legislation will modernise the outdated Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966, bringing it into alignment with the UK Fisheries Act 2020, and supporting the Department’s vision for vibrant, profitable, and sustainable inland and coastal fisheries—underpinned by healthy ecosystems and resilient aquatic habitats.

Key Policy Proposals

The draft proposals cover a wide range of reforms aimed at strengthening environmental protections, improving regulatory frameworks, and supporting sustainable industry practices. The main areas of focus include:

1. Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Objectives

The Bill proposes to introduce modern objectives for inland fisheries and aquaculture based on the UK Fisheries Act 2020. These objectives will support ecosystem-based management, conservation of fish stocks, and improvement of aquatic habitats. A new Inland Fisheries Policy Statement will outline how these goals are interpreted and implemented.

The list of objectives are:

  • The Sustainability Objective (where fish and aquaculture activities are environmentally sustainable in the long term and managed to achieve economic, social, and employment benefits, while also contributing to the availability of food supplies without overexploiting stocks.)
  • The Precautionary Objective (where a precautionary approach is applied and exploitation of stocks restores and maintains populations of harvested species at sustainable levels.)
  • The Ecosystem Objective (where fish and aquaculture activities are managed using an ecosystem-based approach to ensure that negative impacts on ecosystems are minimised and, where possible, reversed).
  • The Scientific Evidence Objective (where scientific data is collected by, where appropriate, fisheries policy authorities working together and sharing such scientific data to better manage fish and aquaculture activities, based on the best available scientific advice.)
  • The Bycatch Objective (where catching of fish that are below minimum conservation reference size is avoided or reduced, that catches are recorded and accounted for, and that bycatch does not create an incentive to catch fish that are below the minimum conservation reference size.)
  • The National Benefit Objective (where fishing activities bring social or economic benefits to Northern Ireland).
  • The Climate Change Objective (where the adverse effect of fish and aquaculture activities on climate changed is minimised and fish and aquaculture activities adapt to climate change).

2. Management of Recreational Inland Angling

DAERA plans to continue managing its Public Angling Estate of 89 waters in Northern Ireland, and retain its power to regulate recreational angling through permits and licences (via The Fisheries Act (NI) 1966). The Department aims to ensure fishing activities are safe, accessible, and affordable, while protecting fish stocks and enhancing public access and quality angling experience.

3. Management of Inland Commercial Fishing

Commercial fisheries, particularly those on Lough Neagh and Lough Erne, will continue to be regulated through Fishery Management Plans and informed by ongoing scientific data and evaluation on the fish population and catches. The focus is on long-term sustainability, ensuring operations provide benefits for rural communities while protecting biodiversity.

4. Aquaculture Licensing Reform

The Department seeks to establish a clear and transparent licensing regime for aquaculture, streamlining the regulatory process into two separate processes. One for the marine are and one for inland operations. This includes potential integration with marine licensing processes under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and a simplified inland licensing model aligned with other UK regions. The new inland operations process include there being no independent fish culture licence, but all elements of regulation are covered by existing consents (e.g. abstraction licensing, discharge consent, aquatic health approval, etc.).

5. Enhanced Enforcement Powers

To protect marine and freshwater ecosystems more effectively, the new Bill proposes:

  • Common enforcement powers for DAERA officers to ensure a consistent enforcement regime to support ecosystem health and sustainable fish stocks.
  • Introduction of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) and civil sanctions (like fixed and variable monetary fines) for regulatory breaches
  • Increased maximum penalties of up to £50,000 for a range of offences to align with the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

6. Permitting of Sea Fishing Activities in Northern Ireland

The Bill also proposes new permitting powers for sea fishing within Northern Ireland waters. This would include the ability to issue and revoke permits, set conditions, limit numbers, and introduce fees. These measures aim to improve the management of inshore fisheries and enhance regulation of both commercial and recreational sea fishing, as well as vessels and also to individuals.


How to Participate

You can respond to the consultation in several ways:

Please indicate whether you are responding as an individual or on behalf of an organisation.


What Happens Next?

After the consultation closes on 11th September 2025, DAERA will analyse all feedback and consider adjustments to its policy proposals. A Consultation Summary Report will be published within 12 weeks, detailing how public input has shaped the final Bill.

The replies you send will be considered in relation to helping DAERA draft the Fisheries and Water Environment Bill, to be made into law by 2027.


Why This Matters

The Fisheries and Water Environment Bill represents a significant step forward for environmental protection and the sustainable development of Northern Ireland’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors. By participating in this consultation, stakeholders can play a direct role in shaping the future of our aquatic environments, ensuring they remain resilient, productive, and sustainable for generations to come.


Make your voice heard. Respond to the consultation before 11th September 2025.

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